Mehri Lexicon and Mehri-English word list

INTRODUCTION

NOTES ON MORPHOLOGY

SUFFIXATION

NOUNS

There is a different series of personal suffixes for singular
and for plural nouns, but in both cases the pers. suff. are affixed to
defined nouns. Thus :

bayt (house)

ber (camels)

3 ms

abSth

hablrhel

3 fs.

absts

h9b?rsE

2 fs.

ab9tk

heblrkE

2 fs.

abStS

hablrie

1 cs.

ab5yti

hsbcrye

3 cdu.

abethi

hebErihi

2 cdu.

abotki

hebtriki

1 cdu.

abstki

beberiki

3 mpl.

abSthsm

hsblrihem

3 fpl.

abStsan

hsberissn

2 mpl.

abetkam

hsblrikom

2 fpl.

abStksn

hsberiken

1 cpl.

abSytan

heblri (y) en

The

nunation

of certain fem.

pi. nouns is elided before

affixation, thus hadutsn (hands), Ijadstse, her hands.

Where ay has not developed from i (SM, e.g. retains bit) but is
an original diphthong, there is no shortening and the suffixes are -
-as, etc. rather than -h, -s, etc. Similarly after two consonants
the 3 and 2 pers. sing, suffixes (and less regularly the dual and pi
suffixes) are preceded by -a-. Thus:

ah,

1. The e of the final syllable of the sing. pers. suff. was
doubtless long but unstressed.

INTRODUCTION

bayr (well)

woram (road)

bed^r (se€

3 ms.

abSyreh

hirraah ,

ab^^rsh.

3 fs.

abSyras

etc.

etc.

2 ms.

abSyrek

2 fs.

abSyrss

1 cs.

ab^yri

3 cdu.

abSyr{©)hi

t^arm(a)hi ,

2 cdu.

abSyr(Q)ki

etc.

1 cdu.

abayr(a)ki

3 mpl.

abSyr (8)ham

hSrm{Q)h3m,

abS^reham

3 fpl.

abSyr (©) sen

etc.

etc.l

2 mpl.

abSyr(a) kam

2 fpl.

abllyr(Q)k9n

1 cdu.

abSyran

In

the du. and pi

. set, the -i-

- of suffix

,s undoubtedly -ys-/
since unstressed long vowels do not occur in Mehri^ and because long
vowels are shortened before this -i-. It could therefore be argued
that a better phonological transcription would be -ya- since it is
often realized -i-. Thus (from bayut, houses) abyStiham, abyStikam,
abyatian, and, less often, ebyatiham, abyatikan (but not with the
1 cpl . suffix) .

VERBS

In the perf. the pers. suffixes can be affixed only to 3rd
pers. verbs. In other circumstances the verb is followed by an
affixed form of the preposition t- which is an accusative marker as,
e.g., latagk tis, you have killed her. Imperf. forms ending with a
vowel or the third radical of the root may be affixed. Thus:

1. Since -Ce- often gives -aC-, forms like abSdarham are very
common. This does not consitute a re-opening of the syllable in
terms of M phonology.

2. In initial and final positions, in some cases, a probably
arises from an earlier unstressed a.

INTRODUCTION xvii

hsbhul, habhslut/yshsbhul/yBhSbhai

with the 3 ms. suffix are:

hsbhelih, hsbhalath/yshebhSlah/yehSbhslsh

It will be seen that the suffix is preceded by -i- in the 3 ms. perf .
verb. It can be presumed that this, and the -u- which other verbs
have, derives from a final -a which no longer occurs in pausal forms.
In stressed open syllable a regularly gives e in nouns and i in verbs
in ( seme ) f em . endings .

It will also be seen that where affixation Involves regression
of stress the vowel which loses the stress is reduced to ©. Thus
from rafus, to kick, we find:

rafssih refsShi refesihsm

rsfasis rafesisen

refesuk rafs4ki rsf ©sikem

rsfesSyS rsf ssiksn

raf asSy ref sski rafssTn

The quality of the joining vowel changes when it follows a
guttural or a glottalized consonant. Thus from ^eluk, to look, see,
we have :

^swkSyh ^QwkShi 4®wkSyhsm

^swljSys ^awkSyssn

^swkSwk gewijski gewJj^ykam

^QwljayS gewkSksn

g9wk5y gawJjSki gawkSyn

Weak verbs (sc verbs CCv) have forms in which the final radical
appears as y. Thus from ^sbdu, to think someone is lying, SebsdySy;
and from ha^diJ, to lose, ha^edyiham (in both of which the e following
the first radical is required by M phonology) -

Compare also the following perf. verbs:
(3ms. arokeb) arkebih, arksbuk; (3 mdu. awbedo) swbsdlyh, awbsdSyk;

(3 mpl. §9xbir) Saxblrsh. Saxbirak; (3 mpl . rafSws) raf Swsah, raf Swsak;
( 3 ms . zor) zarih, zaruk; (3 ms. lutag) awtagSyh, awta^Swk;
(3 ms. nuka) ankSyh, ank^yk; (3 fs. ankot) ank^th, ank^tk;
(3 fs. kasut) kas§th, kasatk:

the following imper, verbs:

(3 ms. yalub©d) yalSbdeh; (3 ms. yaljom) yahamh; (3 ms. yarkob)

/arkabs; (3 ms . yagxabur) yaSxab^rh; (3 ms yalot) yal^th;

xvi i i INTRODUCTION

(2 fs. tslibed) tslebdsh; and the following sub j . verbs (3 ms.
yawbed) yewbSdh; (3 ms . yerfe) ysrfeh, etc.

PREPOSITIONS

Certain propositions are conjugated with the pi. set of pars,
suffixes. In some the affixed base is not predictable from the
unaffixed form and in others the position of the stress is not pre-
dictable. In one (t-) the joining vowel is not the same as for com-
parable prepositions. Examples of the main types are given below.
Thus from b- (with), fsnohan (in front of, before), men (from), d^r
(upon) , enxali (under)

3 ms.
3 fs.
2 msd
2 fs.
1 cs.

b

bsh

bis

buk

bays

bay

3 cdu. bshi
2 cdu. baki
1 cdu. bski

fsnShan
f anwih
fenwis
fanwuk
f enwclyS
fsnwSy

f snwShi
f enwahi
f snwSki

menh
mens
msnk
manS
msnSy

menhSy
mankSy
msnk^y

dar

dSyrah

^Syrss

d^yrek

dSyreS

dSyri

anxali

anxahc -^

enxSs£

enxake

9nxa5e

anxSlye

^Syrhi snxSlihi
^Syrki enx^liki
dSyrki ©nxSliki

3 mpl. bihsm fanwihem manhem d^yrhsm snxSlihem

3 fpl. bisan fsnwissn mansen d^yrsen snxSlisan

2 mpl. bikam fsnwiksn msnken dSyrkam snxSlikan

2 fpl . blkon f anwiksn msnken ^Syrken enxSlikan

1 cpl. bin fanwin manin d^yran anxSlian

Like b-, are h- (to) but with Ics. hSyni; t- (ace. marker) but

2 ms. tik; k- (with) but the aff. base is §- and thus 2 ms. Suk, etc.

Like fanohan, fanw- is am-mayn (bayn) , am-manw- (manw-) ,
(between), giving menwih, manwuk, etc.; hal, han- (in the company of),
giving hanlh, hanuk, etc.; sar , sar- (behind), giving sarih, saruk,
etc.; berk, berk- (in), giving barkih, barkuk, etc.

The preposition men has no exact parallels in its irregularity
of stress. The sing, have the variants, (3 fs.) manctys, (du.)
manhi, menki . Similarly dar has no exact parallels.

1.

Cf . SM onxalhe

INTRODUCTION

Like anxali is tewoli (towards, giving tawehe, -se, -Se, tawSlyE,
etc.

Compound prepositions are conjugated like simple prepositions,
thus (l9)his-t- (like) gives (Isjhis-tuk; man hal (from) gives men
henuk.

Finally bar (already, etc.)/ which is a verb in Jibbali, is a
particle in M. Thus barh, bors , etc.

THE M VERBAL SYSTEM

The verb in M has two voices, active and passive, (though
passive forms occur freely only in the simple verb), three numbers,
sing., pi. and du. (incl. a first person du. of common gender) , and
two tenses or aspects, perf. and imperf. The imperfect (ive) has
four formally dinstinguishable categories which can be classified as:
independent imperf. (indie. ) /dependent imperf. (subj . -jussive)/
imperf. cond. /imperative. The abbreviated conventional names for
the first three are imperf ./subj ./cond. The imperat. in M is always
identical with the subj. except that it is not marked by pers,
prefixes. There are two participles, active and passive, and a
verbal noun. The active participle (ap.) functions as a future.

The perf. mainly describes actions complete or considered to be
complete. Its usage differs from Arabic in many instances, however,
especially with verbs expressing durative action such as wlda, to
know. It can be modified by auxiliary verbs, but the commonest mod-
ifier is the particle bar which is wider in function than Ar. gad
(in Arabic dialects £id , tsid , gid , gld , etc.).

The indep. imperf. describes durative action and, (modified by
the particle ^) ^ punctual action.

The dep. imperf. is usually a subj., that is to say a verb dep-
endent upon another verb, often functioning therefore as does an Engl,
infinitive verb. It occurs in all neg. imperatives and may function
also as a precative/desiderative verb or as a jussive verb, in which
case it is not dependent on another verb. The prefix i^- may be
affixed only to subj. verbs with initial s-Ca^)/ often eclipsing the
1st pers. marker.-^

1. Usually realized ber

2. Forms beginning with t- or n- do not occur with the verbal
^ prefix, but they do occur with the relative ^- prefix. With this
verb modifier the y(3)- of verbal forms is r.ealised as -i-.

3 . When the b_ market is in open syllable : thus l}om l-akteb
(I want to write) , but hom al-met (I want to die)

INTRODUCTION

The cond. occurs relatively rarely, though the scanty evidence
suggests this has not always been so. it is nowadays virtually
confined to hypothetical conditional sentences whose protasis is
introduced by lu . It is probably comparable with the CA modus
energicus .

The pers. affixes of the M verb are set out in the following
table:

Per.

Perf .

Sing.

PI.

Imperf .

(indie . and subj . )

3m.

-

y9-

3f.

-ut

(-et)

te-

2m.

-k

t9-

2f.

-I

ts-

(-1

Ic.

-k

8-

3m.

-o

<-e)

ys-

-o

3ffs

-to

{-te)

ta-

-5

2c.

-ki

te-

-o

Ic.

-ki

B-

-o

3m.

- ,

(-em)

X£-

-9m

3f .

-

t9-

-an

ya-

-an

ta-

-an

ta-

-an

ta-

-an

a-

-an

Ilr

-Syan

ta-

-Syan

ta-

-ciyan

9-

-ciyan

ya-

-an

ta-

-an

2m.

2t .

Ic.

- kam
-kan

ta- -am
ta- -an

ta-
ta-

Bracketed suffixes are confined to certain categories of verb,
viz. the passive verbs and verbs of the patterns (a)CoCaC, saCeCaC and
of the quadriliteral pattern (a)CSCCaC. Certain other types have
only one or two of these suffixes, as, e.g., the simple verb, type (b) ,

Verbs are also inflected for person by means of internal vowel
changes, as, e.g., katub (he wrote), kat^wb (they wrote); hatum (he
spent the night) , hatim (they spent the night) ; yatufal (he spits) ,
tatifel (you spit, f.s.), etc.

The schema of simple and regular verbs is set out below. The
patterns given vary in syllabication with geminate verbs, with verbs
having a w or y radical, and with verbs having a guttural radical.

Simple (a)
(b)
Intensive-
Conative

CaCuC

CiCaC
(a)CoCaC

Causative
Reflexive (a)

(b)
Caus.-refl. (a)

(b)

INTRODUCTION

(h9)CCuC
CStCsC
aCtsCuC
SsCCuC
59CeCaC

The tables below give the conjugation of representative verbs of
these themes.

SIMPLE VERBS

The following are examples of representative verbs of this
category :

Simple verb, type (a)

Active

voice

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

rakuz

ysrukez

yarkez

yarkezan

3 fs.

rakezut

tsrukez

tsrkez

tarkezan

2 ms.

rskSzk

t©rukaz

tarkez

tarkezan

2. fs.

rsk^zg

tsrekoz

tarkezi

tarkezan

1 cs.

rekSzk

aruksz

1-erkez

1-arkezan

3 mdu.

rskezo

yerskzo

yarkazo

yarkaz^yan

3 fdu.

rskszto

tsrekzo

tarkezo

tarkszSyan

2 cdu.

rekszki

tsrakzo

tarkazo

tarkaz^yan

1 cdu.

rskezki

erakzo

l-erkazo

1-arkazSyan

3 mpl.

rskSwz

yerekzam

yarkezam

yarkezan

3 fpl.

rekuz

tsrakzen

tarkezan

tarkezan

2 mpl.

rekszkem

terSkzam

tarkez am

tarkezan

2 fpl.

rekezken

tarSkzan

tarkezan

tarkezan

1 cpl.

rakuzsn

narukaz

narkez

narkezan

Simple

verb, type (a)

Passive voice

Perf.

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

rskez

yerkoz

yarkoz

yarkizan

3 fs.

rskzet

tarkoz

tarkoz

tarkizan

INTRODUCTION

2 ms.

2 fs.

1 cs.

3 mdu-
3 fdu.

2 cdu.

1 cdu.

3 mpl.
3 fpl.

2 mpl.
2 fpl.
1 cpl.

Perf .
rskSzk
rekSzs
rakSzk

rekze
rekszte
rekSzki
rskSzki

rskezam

rskez

rskSzkem

rekcizken

rskezsn

Imperf .
t3rk5z

tarkayzi
arkoz

yerksze
tarkaze
tsrksze

arkf^ze

yarklz

tsrkozan

tarkiz

terkozen

nsrkoz

Sub j .
tarxoz
terkoz
l-arkoz

yarksze
tarkaze
tarkaze
1-arkaze

yarkiz

tarkozan

tarkiz

tarkozan

narkoz

With this verb compare also (from l^m, to
indep. and sub j . yaw^om/cond. yawtayman.

Cond.
tarKIzan
tarkizan
l-arkizan

yarkaz^yan
tarkazciyan
tarkaz5yan
1-arkazciyan

yarkizen
tarklzan
tarkizan
tarkizan
narkizsn
slap) : aw^am// imperf .

Simple

verb, type (b)

Imperf.

Subj.

Perf.

Cond.

3 ms.

tibar

yatbor

yafcbor

yatbiran

3 fs.

tabrut

tatbor

tatbor

tatbiran

2 ms.

t^brak

tatbor

tatbor

tatbirdn

2 fs.

tabras

tatbSyri

ta£bAyri

tatbiran

1 cs.

tabrak

atbor

1 -atbor

1-atbiran

3 mdu.

tabr5

yatbaro

yatbaro

yatbarSyan

3 fdu.

tabarto

tatbero

tatbaro

tatbarSyan

2 cdu.

tSbraki

tatbsro

tafcbaro

tetbarSyan

1 cdu.

tabraki

atbaro

1-atbaro

l-atbarSyan

3 mpl.

tabram

yatbir

yatbir

yatbir an

3 fpl.

tibar

tatboran

tatbor an

tatbiran

2 mpl.

tSbarkam

tatblr

tatbir

tatbiran

2 fpl.

t^barkan

ta£boran

tatbir

tatbir ^^

1 cpl.

tSbran

natbor

natbor

natbiran

INTENSIVE-CONATIVE VERBS

Most verbs of this category are of the pattern (ajCoCeC. The
vocalic prefix occurs when the initial radical of the root is a
voiced or glottalized consonant, as, e.g., ar ok ab/y ar ^kben/yarokeb/
yar^kben and akobel/yal^^blsn/yakSbsl/yakablen , but sofsr/ysseifren/
ygsSf er/yescif ran .

Geminate verbs and verbs medial w or y usually have the pattern
(a)CCrc, the vocalic prefix occurring only before voiced and
glottalized consonants; a few verbs medial w are of the pattern
CewaC .

A few verbs medial guttural have the pattern aGCaC.

Examples of these major types are set out below.

Intensive-conative verb, voiced initial radical

Perf . Imperf . Subj. Cond.

3 ms. arokeb yarSkban yaroksb yarSkban

3 fs. arkabet tarfikban tarokab tarSkban

2 ms. arSkbak tarSkban tarokab tarSkban

1. Sc. a type different in the imperf. from the main
( wazum ) type

XXX iv

INTRODUCTION

2 fs.

arSkbeg

tardkbsn

tarekab

tarSkban

i cs.

ar^kbak

ar^kbsn

1-arokab

1-ardkban

3 mdu.

arkabe

yarkabSyan

yarkabe

yarkabSyan

3 fdu.

arkebte

tarkabSyan

tarkabe

tarkabSyan

2 cdu.

arSkbski

tarkabciyan

tarkabe

tarkab^yan

1 cdu.

arSkbaki

arkabSyan

1-arkabe

l-arkab5yan

3 mpl.

arlkbsm

yarSkban

yar^kbam

yar^kben

3 fpl.

aroksb

tar^kban

tarSkban

tarSkban

2 mpl.

arSkbskam

tarSkban

tarSkbam

tar^kban

2 fpl.

arclkbaksn

tarSkben

tarSkban

tarclkban

1 cpl.

arSkban

narSkban

narokab

narSkban

Intensive-conative geminate verb,
voiced initial radical

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond,

3 ms.

abdid

yabdidan

yabdid

yabdidan

3 fs.

absddet

tabdidan

tabdid

tabdidan

2 ms.

abdedk

tabdidan

tabdid

tabdidan

2 fs.

abdSdg

tabdidan

tabdid

tabdidan

1 cs.

abdsdk

abdidan

1-abdid

1 -abdidan

3 mdu.

absdde

yabaddSyan

yabadde

yabaddSyan

3 fdu.

absddste

tabadd5yan

tabadde

tabaddSyan

2 cdu.

abdsdki

tabaddSyan

tabadde

tabaddSyan

1 cdu.

abdedki

abaddSyan

1-abedde

l-abaddSyan

3 mpl.

abdidan

yabdidan

yabdidam

yabdidan

3 fpl.

abdld

tabdidan

tabdidan

tabdidan

2 mpl.

abdedkam

tabdidan

tabdid am

tabdidan

2 fpl.

abdadkan

tabdidan

tabdidan

tabdidan

1 cpl.

abdldsn

n abdld an

nabdid

n abdidan

CAUSATIVE VERBS

Most verbs of this category have a prefixed h- and are of the
base pattern hsCCuC. Many, but not all, causative verbs with an
initial voiceless radical lack this h^- prefix in the base form and are
of the pattern CCuC. In such verbs the h- marker reappears in sub j . ,
cond., and participial forms where it is the initial consonantal
element of the stressed syllable. Thus, from the verb fleh , contrast:

subj.

3 ms.

yeh^flet

3 mdu.

ysfallja

cond.

3 ms.

yehSfls^an

3 mdu.

yafslhSyan

part.

3 mdu.

mehSfsltji

3 fdu.

msfalhati

The tables below give paradigms of the most representative verbs
of this category.

Causative verb ,
dominant type

Perf . Imperf . Subj . Cond .

3 ms. hensum yehsnsum yah^sem yehSnsemsn

xxxviii

INTRODUCTION

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj .

Cond.

3 fs.

hensemut

tshsnsum

tehSnsem

tahansam?^n

2 ms.

hsnsemk

tshensum

tehSnsem

tahSnsaman

2 fs.

hsnssmS

tshsnsS^ymi

tahansam

tah^nsaman

1 cs.

hansamk

ehensum

l-ehansem

l-9h5nsaman

3 mdu.

henssmo

yshdnsamo

yshanseme

yahansamSyan

3 fdu.

hensemto

tahsnsemo

tahenseme

tahansamSyan

2 cdu.

hensemki

tshsnsemo

tahansam?

tahensamSyan

1 cdu.

henssmki

eherssmo

1-ahansame

1-ahansamayan

3 mpl.

hsnsim

yehsnsim

yah5nsamam

yahfinseman

3 fpl.

hen sum

tehensumsn

tahSnsaman

tah^nsaman

2 mpl.

henssmkem

tehansim

tahansamam

teh^nsaman

2 mpl.

henssmkem

tshsnsim

tah^nsamam

tahSnsaman

2 fpl.

hsnsSmksn

tshsnsurasn

tahSnssman

tahSnsaman

I cpl.

hsnsiSmsn

nehsnsum

taMnsam

naMnsaman

Causative

verb.

voiceless

initial radica

a

Perf.

Imperf.

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

tbut

yatbut

yahStbat,

yahStbatan,

:i fs.

tbstut

tetbut

etc.l

etc.l

2 ms .

tbstk

tstbut

2 fs.

tbetS

tetbSyti

1 cs.

tbstk

stbut

3 mdu.

tbsto

yatbsto

yatbate

yatbatSyan

3 fdu.

tbetto

tstbeto

tatbate

tatbatSyan

2 cdu.

tbstki

tstbeto

tetbatG

tatbat^yan

1 cdu.

tbstki

etbato

1-etbate

i-atbatSyan

3 mpl.

tblt

ye tblt

yahdtbatam.

yah^tbaten ,

1. The subj. and cond. forms differ in no way in pattern from
verbs like hansum above except in the dual.

REFLEXIVE VERBS

Reflexive verbs, typa (a)

The verbs having geminate, guttural or weak radicals differ only
:ranimally from the base pattern CStCsC. Geminate verbs, however, have
the idiosyncrasy that the infixed t is geminated, rather than the
geminate radical, in many forms. A similar transfer of gemination
also occurs in the sub j . of causative verbs, A further idiosyn-
crasy is that the t- infix assimilates to medial sibilants and dentals
in most forms of tlje perf. Thus, e.g., k-t-sv > k^ssi , etc. It may
also be noted that the verb g;-t-*m has been assimilated totally to the
simple verb, type (b) , namely CiCeC.

This type of verb often supplies forms from the other reflexive
type sCtsCuC.

In J also in the sub j . of simple geminate verbs.

xlviii

INTRODUCTION

The tables below give representative examples of this kind of
verb and also the paradigm of one anomalous verb, viz. tsk {to drink)
from the root hkv (< g]gv ) . — ^

Perf.

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

natfez

ysntefuz

yentifaz

yentafzsn

3 fs.

nstfszut

tentsfuz

tenti f Bz

tsntafzsn

2 ms.

nStfezek

tsntsfuz

tsntifsz

tentafzen

2 fs.

nStfazeg

tsntsfSyzi

tentifaz

t©nt5fz9n

1 cs.

natfazsk

antsfuz

1-entifaz

l-entSfzsn

3 mdu.

nstfszo

ysntsf z5

ysntefze

ysntafz^yan

2 fdu.

nstfszto

tentefzo

tentafze

tsntsfzSyen

2 cdu.

nStfezki

tentefzo

tentafze

tantsfsdyan

1 cdu.

nStfazki

sntsfzo

1-Bnt9fz§

1-antaf zay^n

3 mpl.

n^tfszem

yantefiz

yantefzsm

yantafzan

3 fpl.

nStfsz

tentsfuzQn

tsntafzsn

tantSfzan

2 mpl.

n^tfazksm

tsntefiz

tentefzem

tant^fzan

2 fpl.

natfazken

tantefuzsn

tsntafzsn

tantaf zan

1 cpl.

natfazen

nontafuz

nentifsz

nantafzan

Reflexive

geminate verb.

type (a)

3 ms.

3 mdu.
3 fdu.

2 cdu.

1 cdu.

3 mpl.
3 fpl.

2 mpl.

Perf. Imperf.

(batted) ^

battado
batadto
b5ttadki
b5ttadki

battadam

battad

bSttadkam

yabtaddo
tabtaddo
tabtaddo
abtaddo

yabaddid

tabaddudan

tabaddid

Subj .

yabtadde
tabtadde
tabtadde
1-abtadde

yabtaddam
tabtaddan
tabt^ddam

Cond .

yabtaddSyan
tabtaddSyan
tabtadd^yan
l-abtaddciyan

yabtaddan
tabtaddan
tabtSddan

1- Du. and pi. only

CAUSATIVE REFLEXIVE VERBS

Causative-reflexive verbs, type (a)

This category of verb shows no major deviation from the base
pattern gsCCuC, but it includes one anomalous verb, namely Suda, to
curse. In some instances where roots have both ^©CCuC and SeCeCeC
derivates, it can be seen that there is an element of reciprocity in
the latter type which is absent from the former. Thus Sawbed, to
let oneself he shot at, etc., but gslebed , to have shots fired at one
and return the fire.

The following paradigms give representative examples of this kind
of verb.

Caus.-

■refl. verb, type

(a)

Perf.

Iraperf .

Subj.

3 ms .

sskbur

ysSskbur

ya§5kbar

^ f s.

sokberut

tssekbur

taSSkbar

2 ms.

sekbsrk

tesakbur

taSSkbar

2 fs.

sakbers

tssekbSyri

tasakbar

I OS.

sakberk

?^Kakbur

l-asakb^r

3 mdu.

sekbsro

yasakbero

yaSakbare

i fdu.

sskbsrto

tagekbero

tagakbare

2 cdu.

§9kb©rki

tagekbaro

taSakbare

1 cdu.

sekbSrki

agakbaro

l-aSakbare

'^ mpl.

gskbir

yagakbir

yaSSkbaram

3 fpl.

Sekbur

teSakburan

taSSkbaran

2 mpl.

gekberkom

teSakbir

ta§^kbaram

2 fpl.

Sekberksn

taSakburan

taSSkbaran

1 cpl.

Sekbursn

naSakbur

na§5kbar

Cond.

yaSSkbaran

taSSkbaran

tasdkbaran

ta§Skbaran

1-asSkbaran

yaSakbarSyan
tasakbarSyan
taSakbarayan
1-asakbarayan

yasakbaran
tesakbaran
taSSkbaran
teSSkbaran
na§Skbar an

INTRODUCTION

Ixiii

cc*

Suda

yaSuda

ysSeda

ysSSdan

xCC

sxsbur

ysSxebur

ysSSxbsr

ysS^xbersn

ChC

genljSwr

y9§9nijdwr

yaSSnher

yaS^nljeran

CEv

^eflju

ysSfSylj

yegifsJj

ysSsfken

hCv

5h9lU

ysSMyl

yeSihsI

yeSahlsn

Causative-reflexive verbs, type (b)

This is not a very productive category. As contrasted with
seCCuC, many verbs of this pattern give an implication of reciprocity
(see the notes on the preceding category) .

The tables below give paradigms of the most representative
verbs of this type.

Caus. -reflex, verb type (b)

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3

ms .

genesam

yasnSsman

yagnesam

yasnSsman

2

fs.

Sanesmet

tagnSsman

tagnesam

tagnSsman

2

ms.

ganSsmek

tagnSsman

tagnesam

tagnSsman

2

fs.

SanSsmsS

tagnSsman

tagnesam

tasnSsman

1

cs.

SanSsmak

agnSsman

1-agnesam

l-agnSsman

3

mdu.

sansamo

yagnasmSyan

yagansarae

yasmasmSyan

3

fdu.

sansamto

tasnasmSyan

tag an same

tasnasmSyan

2

cdu.

sansSmki

taSnasmSyan

taSansame

tasnasmSyan

I

cdu.

SansSmki

agnasmSyan

I-sgansame

1-agnasmSyan

3

rapl .

senSsmam

yagn^sman

yasnSsmam

yasnSsman

3

fpl.

sanesam

tagnSsman

tasnSsman

tasndsman

2

mpl.

sanSsmakam

tagnSsman

tagn5smam

tagnSsman

2

fpl.

san^smakan

tagnSsman

tagnSsman

tagnSsman

1

cpl.

gangsman

nagnSsman

tagnSsman

nagnSsman

Caus.-

■refl. verb final

\ type (b)

Subj .

Perf.

Imperf.

Cond.

3

ms.

gagega

yaggaga

yaSgesa

yaggSg5n

3

fs.

Sagagot

taggaga

taggesa

tagg^San

2

ms.

gagasak

taggaga

taggega

tagg^gan

QUADRILITERAL AND QUINQUELITERAL VERBS

The tables below give paradigms of the two commonest types of
quadriliteral and quinqueliteral verbs.

Quadliteral verb, voiced initial radical

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 mpl.

adSgdag

yadagdug

yadSgdag

yad5gdagan

3 fs.

adegdsget

tadagdug

tad^gdag

tad^gdagan

2 ms .

adSgdegak

tadagdug

tadSgdag

tadSgdagan

2 fs.

ad5gdagag

tadgadSygi

tadSgdag

taddgdagan

1 cs.

adAgdsgek

adagdug

l-ad5gdag

l-ad5gdagan

3 mdu.

adgsdge

yadgadgo

yadgadge

yadgadgSyan

3 fdu.

adgadgte

tadgadgo

tadgadge

tadgadg^yan

2 cdu.

ad^gdagki

tadgadg5

tadgadge

tadgadgSyan

1 cdu.

adSgdsgki

adgadgo

1-adgadge

1-adgadgSyan

3 mpl.

adSgdsgam

yadsgdig

yadSgdagam

yadSgdagan

3 fpl.

adSgdsg

tadgadugan

tadSgdagan

2 mpl .

adSgdegkam

tadagdig

tadSgdagam

2 fpl.

ad^gdsgksn

tadagdugan

tadSgdagan

1 cpl.

adcigdegsn

nadagdug

nadSgdag

Quadril:

Lteral reflexive

verb

Perf.

Imperf.

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

anksrbut

yankarbu^:

yan]j5rbat

yankSrbatan

3 fs.

9n}jarbatawt

tsnljarbut

tanJjSrba^

tankclrbeten

2 ms.

enjjarb^^k

tankarbu^

tanJjSrab^

tan}jSrbatan

2 fs.

enlferbStS

tankarbSy^i

tankSrbat

tankSrbatan

1 cs.

ankarbS^k

ankarbu^t

l-anJjSrbat

l-ankSrba^an

INTRODUCTION

Ixvii

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 mdu.

snkarbeto

ysnkerbato

yankarba^a

yankarbatayan

3 fdu.

snkarbateto

tenkarbsto

tankarba^a

tankarbat^yan

2 cdu.

snkerbstki

tenksrbeto

tanker bata

tankarba^ayan

1 cdu.

snksrbs^ki

enkarbato

l-ankarba^a

1 -ankarba^Syan

3 mpl.

enksrbi^

yankarbi^

yankSrbatam

yankSrba^an

3 fpl.

anksrbut

tenltarbu^an

tanJjSrbat®'^

tank Srba tan

2 mpl ,

enlfsrbetkem

tanljarbl^

tankSrbal^am

tan)j^rba^an

2 fpl.

anksrbstken

tankarbutan

tank^batan

tankarbatan

1 cpl.

enljerbuten

nanJjarbu^

nank^rbat

nankSrbatan

Quinqueliteral verb
(or quadriliteral with

infixed w)

Perf.

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

gxewlul

yagxalul

yasxawwal

yasxawwalan

3 fs.

sxswellut

tagxalul

tasxawwal

tasxSwwalan

2 ms.

gxewalek

ta§xalul

tasxawwol

tagxSwwalan

2 cs.

gxewaleg

taSxawlciyli

tasxawwal

tasxSwwalan

1 cs.

SxawalEk

asxawlul

l-asxSwwal

1-asxSwwalan

3 mdu.

sxswsllo

yaSxawlo

yasxawle

yasxawlSyan

3 fdu.

gxewellsto

taSxawlo

tasxawle

taSxawl^yan

2 cdu 9

Sxewltki

tasxawlo

tasxawle

tasxawlSyan

1 cdu.

asxawlo

1-asxawle

1-agxawlSyan

3 mpl.

sxawiri

yasxawlil

yagxSwlam

yasxawwalan

3 fpl.

sxawlul

tagxawlulan

tasxSwlan

tasxawwalan

2 mpl ,

sxewlekem

tasxawlil

tasxawlam

tasxSwwolan

2 fpl.

gxswleksn

tasxawlulan

tasxav/lan

tasxawwal an

1 cpl.

sxswlulsn

nasxawlul

nasxSwwal

nasxSwwalan

Quinqueli
(or quadr

teral verb
iliteral with

infixed y)

Perf.

Imperf.

Subj.

Cond.

3 ms.

zsgayrur

yaSgayrur

yaSgSyrar

ya^gayraran

Ixviii

INTRODUCTION

Perf .

Imperf .

Sub j .

Cond.

3 fs.

SsgayrrSwt

ta^gayrur

ta5g5yrar

ta&gciyraran

2 ms.

gsgdyrark

taSgayrur

ta£^5yrar

taSg^yraran

2 fs.

zagayrerk

taSgayreri

tazgSyrar

tafg^yraran

1 cs.

ia^^yrsrk

l-aSgayrur

1-afgciyrar

1-aSgayraran

3 mdu.

iagayrsro

yaSgayraro

yaSgayrare

ya£gayrar£yan

3 fdU9

Se^ayrsrto

taggayraro

ta^gayrare

taggayrar^yan

2 cdua

fia^ayrSrki

taSgayrar5

taSgayrare

tafgayrariyen

1 cdu.

AagayrSrki

aS^ayraro

l-a£gayrare

l-a5^ayrar5yan

3 mpl.

Segayrir

yai^^yrir

yafgayraram

yafg5yraran

3 fpl.

fe^ayrur

taSgayrQran

tafgayraran

tafgSyroran

2 mpl.

^sgayrerkera

taSgayrir

ta^gayraram

ta5g5yrars*n

2 cpl.

SsgayrSrken

taSgayruran

tafgayraran

t9±(^SLY^^^^^

1 cpl.

Sagayruran

nafi^ayrur

naSgSyrar

nafgSyraran

The table below lists additional examples of quadri- and
quinqueliteral verbs. Conditional forms were not always supplied by
speakers (as too unreal) , It will be noted that many such verbs
are reduplicated, and that the verbs of (becoming a certain) colour
fall into this category.

Perf,

Imperf .

Subj .

Cond.

cccc

ab^lbal

yabalbul

yabSlbal

yabSlbalan

abSrber

yabarbur

yabclrbar

yab^rbaran

adifdaf

yadafduf

yadSfdaf

yadAfdafan

addgdag, etc.

karbal

yakarbul

yakSrbal

yakcirbalan

an^abdub

yandsbdub

yan^abdab

yandcibsJeban

angagfuS

yanfa5fu£

yanfaSfaS

yanfS£fs5an

angargur, etc.

sarsei

hCCC

anha^ul

yanhapnul

yanhS^al

-

CCwC

h^wlab

yahawlub

yaljSwlab

-

'CCC

'armad

yaramud

yarmed

yarmadan

INTRODUCTION

Ixix

Perf .

Imperf .

Subj.

Cond.

cc*c

a|5naf

ya^anSwf

ya|Snaf

-

snbelSwt

ysnbalSwt

yanbSlat

EC'C

anl^slSwd

yenkol^wd

yankSlad

-

CCE*

aMrJfa

yanreJja

yabSrJja

yab5r)fan

CCwCC

snkewriid

ankswrijd

yankSwrsd

yank^wradan

CCyCC

ewbinun
hsbilul

*CyCC

'aflrur

yafirur

yafSyrer ■'■

-

hCyCC

hs^Irur

ChyCC

snljirur

yanhirur

yanh^yrer

CxyCC

bsxirur

yabxirur

yabxSyrar

hwyCC

hswirur

yehwirur

yaljwSyrar

CCCw

a^ssru

yagsaru

THE PARTICIPLES

The passiV-g participle of the simple verb i$ of the pattern
meCCiC and is declines like an adjective. Derived themes do not
appear to have passive participles though forms are occasionally
borrowed from Arabic. Also probably borrowed from Arabic are part-
iciples of the pattern CoCaC, less often CeCaC. Thus kofar, (fs.)
kSffrat, unbeliever, European, and sehar, (fs,) s5hrat, (com. pi.)
sawe^ar, wizard, witch.

The above participles have no verbal function. The active
participle of the simple verb having the ms. pattern CaCCona, how-
ever, has on the contrary no nominal function, either as adjective
or substantive. The participles of derived verbs, all of which have
an m- prefix, are also verbal in function but borrowed Ar. ma-
participles function as nouns.

The M participles are inflected for number and gender, and differ
from nouns in that the dual may be formed, though the fdu. is usually
replaced by the fpl. formation.

The table below lists a representative sample of active partic-
iple forms in the order ms., fs./mdu., fdu./mpl., fpl. (or /cpl.):
CaCuC/CiCaC :
katbona, katbita/katboni, katb5wti/katyeba, katbutan

1. And ygndyr^i: (prob. J)

ixx INTRODUCTION

tsbrona , tabrl ta/tebroni , tebrSwti/tebyera , tsbrutsn
herJjona, hark^yta/hsrkoni , hark^wti/hsryeka, hsrkSwtan
samona / samita/samowti, samawti/seyema. samuten
garSna, garita/garoni , garawti/gayera, garutsn
enkSna, ank^y ta/enkoni , enkSwti/ankeya, snkawtan
wezmona , wezmi ta/wezmoni , wezmawtf /wazyema , wszmutsn
matona, mstita/matoni , matawti/matyeta, matutan
sirona, sirita/sir5ni, sirawti/sayera , sirutan
kasyona, kasylta/kasyoni , kasy5wti/kaseya, kasCy)utan
sanyona, sanyita/Sanyoni , sanySwti/saneya , sanyutsn
(a)CoCaC:

marokab, markebeta/marSkbi , markabeti/markabutan
masofar, masf ereta/mas5fri, masfareti/masf arutan
molam, mawmeta/mami, mawmeti/mawmutan
raa*it, ma*itata/ - , - /ma'Itawtan

mangal, mangaieta/mangali, mangQleti/mangeluten
ma^oli , masalyeta/ - , - /ma^alyutan
(ha)CCuC:

mah^nsara, mahansameta/mahSnsami , mah©ns©meti/mahansamutan
mah5£bat, metabteta/mahStbati, ma£abteti/matabtutan
mahS^bah. raaha^bahata/maha^bahi, maha^bahati/maha^bahSwtan
mah^flah, mafslhata/maMf lahi, mafalhati/mafalhawtan
mahftam, mahatmeta/mahatmi , mahatmeti/mahatmutan
mehagar , mahagareta/mahagari , mahagareti/mahagarutan
raahSrba', maharbata/maharbay, maharbati/maharbSwtan
mahSwrad, mahawradeta/mahSwrsdi, mahawradeti/mahSwradutan
mahSnwaf, mahanswfeta/msMnwsfi , mahanuwfeti/mahanawfutan
mahiban, mahabanyeta/mahamni , mshamneti/mahamniitan
mahital, matalyeta/mahatli , matalyeti/matalyutan
CatCaC:
mantlfaz, mantaf zeta/mantatzita, mantaf zeti/mantaf zutan

INTRODUCTION Ixx i

mektsi , ma}Jst©lleta/m3kt8lii , msktslleti/msktelluton
stemona, sttsmita/stemoni , stemSwti/gtamutsn -*•
matoks , mat-skseta/mateksi , matakseti/matsksutan
msrtifa, metrtsfats/msrtSfa, mertafati/msrtsfawtBii
metsked/ msitakc^ata/matekdi / metek^ati/matak^awtsn
msgtciydr ma^ta^J^ta/msgt^ydi, megtei^ati/msgtadawten
msgtSyr , me^teryeta/magtSyri , megtBryeti/megtaryutsn
mskt^ys, melksssyeta/msktSysi, msksssyeti/raekssayutsn
mattek , metltsljyeta/msttski , mettakyeta/msttskyuten
©C sCuC:

msftskir , m^f taker eta/meftekiri , maf tskreti/msftakruten
mefterSwr , r'lsf tarrata/maf terSwri , mef terrati/maf tarrawtan
mahtoma , motttamata/mGhtarnay , mat tamawti/mettamSwtan ^
magatylr , m^g^tyareta/magatyrri , magatyareti/magatyirutan
mabtSdi , tnah^tadyeta/mabtSdyi , mabtadyeti/mabtadyutan
gaCCuC :

maS^kbar , m^^^kbareta/ma^^kbari , masakbareta/masakbarutan
maSeman , ma^^nineta/maSAmni , ma§amneti/maSamnutan
maSegai , ma^sgl^ta/maSSgli , maSagleti/maSagalutan
maSSwgas, ma§9wgaseta/nias^wga§i, maSawgaseti/maSawgasutan
maSSw^ab, ma^^w^abeta/masaw^abi , maSaw^abeti/maSaw^abutan
gaCeCaC :

maslebad , ma^^wbadeta/masl^bdi , maSawbadeti/maSawbadutan
maSxarag, ma^xargeta/maSxargi , masxargeti/masxargutan
ma§mesah, ma^niahata/masmSshi , , raaSmashati/masmasljSwtan
maswed , maswadeta/maSwedi , maswadeti/msswadutan
(a)CaCCaC:

madSgdag , mad^adageta/raadagdagi , madgadageti/madgedagutan
anCaCCuC :

mankSrbat' manJjJs^rbatata/mankSrbati , mankarbatati/mankarbatawtan

1. From Sitam; formed, by and largu, as for a simple verb

2. From attuma, with some feature of the CCuC sub-typo
I

© Bernice Johnstone 1987

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Johnstone, T. M.

Mehri lexicon and English-Mehri word list.

1. Mehri language — Dictionaries — English

2. English language — Dictionaries — Mehri
I. Title II. Smith, G. R. {Gerald Rex)
492'. 9 PJ7113

ISBN 0-7286-01374)